Ford Thunderbolt Reunion - Bolts From The Blue Oval

1/45A dozen original Thunderbolts were mixed in with a ton of Fairlanes at the Fairlane Club of America national meet that included a drive to Ford's Dearborn proving grounds in June.

Phil Bonner's overheating Thunderbolt has stalled. The 14.0:1 pistons in its 427 High Riser are not happy on this muggy June day as steam slowly hisses from the filler neck of the lightweight aluminum radiator. We're inside the locked gates of Ford's Dearborn proving grounds as Bonner and a select group of helpers do their best to restart the potent 427. It's a tall order, but all put their backs into hefting the 3,200-pound Fairlane-Bonner included-as repeated efforts are made to push-start the exotic wonder weapon by popping the clutch from a 10-mph roll.

The 550hp FE mill resists at first, but a few tries and a whole bunch of sweaty brows later, the Fairlane coughs to life. The open headers bark madly as Bonner takes the wheel and begins a medium-speed cruise around the restricted test track to get air flowing and reduce coolant temperature.

This is good, because later this day, Bonner and his Thunderbolt will be part of a special meeting that'll include many of the top movers and shakers behind Ford's NHRA drag racing program.

Though similar to a proving grounds meeting that took place back in December 1963-when Ford ceremoniously doled out the first batch of 11 Thunderbolts to factory-blessed teams-today's festivities take place in 2009 and mark the 45th anniversary of the Thunderbolt program.

Bonner's original Thunderbolt was destroyed in a racing accident decades ago and its twisted shell was stored outdoors where decay took its toll. But portions of the hulk are contained within the modern re-creation he's tooling around the test track. Well into his seventh decade, Bonner is young again as the dual Holleys ingest the rarified proving grounds atmosphere.

Nearly five decades have passed since Ford shipped 100 289/271 K-code Fairlanes (in several batches) to Andy Hotton's Dearborn Steel Tubing for conversion into 427-powered Thunderbolts, but interest remains stronger than ever. In conjunction with the Fairlane Club of America '09 national meet, the Thunderbolt Owners Association gathered together an even dozen authenticated Thunderbolts, more than 50 original owners and drivers, as well as many former Ford company personnel involved with the Thunderbolt program. The show and banquet were held at the Dearborn, Michigan, Hyatt Regency on June 26 and 27, 2009, but for many, the main event was a parade convoy into the Dearborn proving grounds consisting of more than 150 Fairlanes and high-performance Fords of every description. It truly was a trip to Mecca for all parties involved. Let's look at the highlights.

2/45

The Thunderbolt legacy began on a cold December morning in 1963. This period photo records the day when 11 vintage burgundy Thunderbolts were lined up at Ford's Dearborn proving grounds. Their keys were handed out to Ford Drag Council members. Among the recipients were Dick Brannan, Bob Ford, Ed Martin Ford, Phil Bonner, Les Ritchey, Gas Ronda, Mickey Thompson, Wickersham Ford, Milo Coleman, and Butch Leal. After the first 11 burgundy cars were built, all subsequent Thunderbolts (89 cars) were delivered in white paint.

3/45

Ron DeVergilio worked as a mechanic in the Ford experimental engine garage and was present for the Drag Council delivery in 1963. "We lined them up in a row at the Dearborn proving grounds, and the guys got their assigned cars. Each one made a pass; I think Butch Leal's went quickest. Though the delivery ceremony went off without a hitch, the early Detroit Lockers we put in the Thunderbolts had a tendency to freewheel one tire if the driver didn't stay on the gas pedal. We lost a lot of cars due to accidents when the locker re-engaged. It'd jump the rear of the car out of line and really surprise the driver during upshifts. Heavier preload springs in the locker unit eventually solved the issue."

4/45

Dean McCann was part of the original crew that received the 11th Thunderbolt built and driven by Milo Coleman. "In 1963 we raced a 289/271-powered Fairlane in D/Stock called the Li'l Lord Fotus. The name was a play on the revolutionary Ford-powered Lotus that made waves at the Indy 500 the same year. We won the '63 Nationals with the small-block car, so we were chosen to receive the Thunderbolt the next year. Ours was delivered with a four-speed and ran low 11s at 122." A Ford development engineer, Dean was in charge of the McCulloch supercharged 312 engine program in 1957 and the triple-carbureted 390 (401 hp) in 1961. The integrally cast ribs in the aluminum Tri-power air cleaner were Dean's idea and became a signature feature on numerous Ford air cleaner lids through the '60s.

5/45

One of the 41 original four-speed Thunderbolts, this one was shipped to Crowley Motor Co. in Opelika, Alabama, on January 29, 1964. It was purchased by Steve Honnell, who wasn't spooked by a notation on the window sticker that read, "This car is delivered at Dearborn Steel Tubing Co. and has no warranty guarantee." Today, it is owned by Bill Dismuke.

6/45

Documentation is a key part of the Thunderbolt ownership experience, and the restored Steve Honnell car displayed vintage entry forms from the NHRA '64 World Points Championship and '65 Southern National Invitational, both events held at Phenix City Dragway in Alabama.

7/45

Don't be fooled by the immaculate Tucson Yellow paint. Originally painted white, this early-build Thunderbolt was delivered to Alderman Ford, where General Manager Paul Harvey had it resprayed the more cheerful hue. During the restoration, Ed Strzelecki waffled on what color to shoot it, eventually assigning the day-two yellow paint scheme to Dan Groth's capable hands. The body is totally rust free and has never been cut.

8/45

Larry Short has owned this Thunderbolt for more than 30 years. Though many Thunderbolt owners today restore them back to original condition, the tubbed rear suspension is staying put. Larry says, "The car was campaigned in Super Stock and got tubbbed in the early '70s. It was a little crude, so I retubbed it, and this is how it'll stay. I drive it all around, so a Tremec five-speed takes the place of the original four-speed for easy highway cruising."

9/45

An automatic car with the early fiberglass front bumper, this Thunderbolt was campaigned with sponsorship by Zantop Airlines. Other than the Ansen aluminum slot front wheels, it's a very pure restoration right down to the single windshield wiper, Rotunda tachometer, and lightweight Bostrum bucket seats.

10/45

Ford never built any Thunderbolt wagons, but that didn't stop Bill and Kathy Pearson from building this wild Rangoon Red "what if." It's got a 427 High Riser, a column-shifted automatic transmission, and fiberglass fenders, hood, and bumpers. Don't confuse it with the lone '64 427 Comet 202 station wagon built by Mercury for Dyno Don Nicholson. Along with 10 427 Comet coupes, Nicholson's wagon was intended for A/Factory Experimental competition, while the Ford Thunderbolt coupes were built for Super Stock action. Regardless, the Pearsons' long roof blows minds anywhere it goes.

After a few months, Milo's car was resprayed orange for better eye appeal as seen in this vintage photo from mid-1964. The four-speed stick had also been installed by this time. Milo says: "The automatic added about 200 pounds to the car and sucked up a bunch of horsepower. I didn't request an automatic, but under the circumstances, you took what they gave and changed it on your own. I picked up 4 or 5 mph right off the bat with the stick."

13/45

Most Thunderbolts were sold outright to racers at a wholesale dealer cost of $3,780 (four-speed) or $3,980 (automatic), but Milo was one of a minority who got dollar cars. Ford sold them for a buck but held the title as a means of exerting subtle control. At the end of a specified period-usually one year-the title was released to the racer. Here, Milo poses with a letter from Ford Racing boss Jacque Passino, releasing ownership to him after a season of successful racing. Dated March 16, 1965, it reads: "Your office is requested to transfer ownership of 1964 Fairlane vehicle serial number 4F41K167196 from the Ford Division General Office to Mr. Milo Coleman, 10047 Maumau Court, Largo, Florida. This vehicle is being given to Mr. Coleman in accordance with the contract between Ford Division and Mr. Coleman." Ford streamlined its racing budget in 1965, and when he wasn't on the list to receive a 427 SOHC-powered A/FX car, Milo built the altered-wheelbase, Crusaders, Hemi-powered '65 Valiant for match racing.

14/45

One of the most legendary Ford drag pilots, Phil Bonner attended the show in his Al Means Ford-sponsored re-creation. Cooling issues aside, it was great to see Flying Phil at the wheel. Phil's grandson, Preston, rides shotgun. George, Jody, and Ian Aberts of Troublemaker 427 Racing lent a hand tuning the hairy 427 mill.

15/45

This beauty was the 50th unit delivered and is one of the original 41 four-speed cars. Though painted Poppy Red rather than day-one white, it features all its original body panels, has matching body numbers, and the original engine block. It was first sold by Ed Martin Ford in Indianapolis on February 13, 1964. Notice the one-piece aluminum wraparound front bumper. The abbreviated fiberglass bumpers and filler panels installed on early cars were not NHRA approved, thus the (more costly) alloy replacement.

16/45

An early-issue fiberglass front bumper is seen on Steve Posey's immaculate restoration. Like on all Thunderbolts, the fenders and hood are also lightweight fiberglass replicas. All windows-save for the glass windshield-are Plexiglas. The car was originally built with an automatic, and Steve retained it during the restoration. T-Bolt guru Dennis Kolodziej says: "The automatic was much more than a basic Lincoln unit. It used a specific cast-aluminum bellhousing to adapt to the 427 FE block (Lincolns used MEL-series 430 engines), a splined output shaft, a specific manual lever, a recalibrated valvebody, and other improvements. Finding one today is nearly impossible."

17/45

Car owner Jack Hazelgren says his Thunderbolt was delivered on December 19, 1963, to Emmett "Rattlesnake" Austin of Georgia. Emmett won Mr. Stock Eliminator honors at the NASCAR Winter Nationals, then gradually transformed the car into an altered-wheelbase match racer complete with 427 Cammer power. Obviously, a near-stock (save for the spun aluminum wheels) restoration has been performed. This was the 29th Thunderbolt to be delivered and was a four-speed from the start.

18/45

Driver and member of the Ford Drag Council, Emmett poses with the car in this vintage photo. Again, we see the outlawed fiberglass front bumper. Emmett's car was 1 of 18 to be equipped with a fiberglass door upgrade. Ford shipped the lightweight doors only to Drag Council members a few weeks after the cars were initially delivered. Emmett raced from coast to coast.

19/45

Though his Rattlesnake Austin Thunderbolt has been restored to its prealtered-wheelbase configuration, Jack Hazelgren says, "I actually like the car better in its brutal, altered-wheelbase, match racer configuration from 1966." To scratch the itch, Jack found a small-block Fairlane donor and built a close replica. Many Thunderbolts were considered obsolete race cars by the dawn of 1965 and were transformed into altered-wheelbase match racers in a final blaze of glory. To see a great photo revue, type Altered Wheelbase Thunderbolts into your computer search engine, sit back, and enjoy.

20/45

Knowing the engine is the soul of any car, Jack stepped up big time and assembled this Hilborn-injected Cammer for the Rattlesnake Austin altered-wheelbase tribute car. The manifold has been subtly equipped with EFI for easy street and strip running. The reproduction fiberglass front bumper and doors are by AFX Components in Rose, New York.

21/45

Like on the original, the wheel openings on Jack Hazelgren's clone car are stretched rather than moved forward intact. The front suspension consists of a slightly narrowed Econoline beam axle, parallel leaf springs, and disc brakes. Jack says: "I wish the fellow I bought the original car from would have left it in the 1966 altered-wheelbase configuration, but no way was I going to chop it up again. With the re-creation, I have my cake and can eat it, too."

22/45

The cherry on top of the meet was an open invitation from Ford to take a few parade laps around the proving grounds ride and handling course. Attendees gathered beside the massive 40-acre skidpad and were treated to driving demonstrations by a Mustang GT500 drift car, repeated 150-to-0 stops by a Ford GT supercar, and this wild SUV-based rollover test vehicle. An evaluation mule for Ford's Advance-Trac electronic stability control system, it has a sliding weight bar above the cab that can be moved during cornering to alter the center of gravity. The outriggers keep it from flipping during extreme workouts.

The act of shoehorning 427 High Risers into 100 Fairlanes fell to Andy Hotton's Dearborn Steel Tubing Co. (DST). Though Andy has passed, his sons (Randy on left, Don on right) and grandson (Cale, standing) were present.

25/45

DST was one of Ford's prime go-to shops for special projects and prototype construction. This dual-axle Econoline pickup was built at Ford's request to explore ways of adding extra load and traction capacity to the popular compact truck line. Other wild projects included specially shortened Mustang 2+2 fastbacks and managing the international-record-setting '64 Comet Durability Run for Mercury.

Click the links below the pictures to view "Draggin' Thunderbolt" as it originally appeared in the February 1964 issue of HOT ROD.

Click the links below the pictures to view the Dearborn Steel Tubing Brochure.